Page 60 of Insolence
Nope, we’re not doing this.Not if she’s going to come at me this way.
I spin on my bench and stand. Without a trace of sarcasm or humor, I say, “I understand you’re having big feelings that are difficult to deal with. Butthisisn’t how to manage them.”
That stops her in her tracks. Gives her something to consider.
And she does. For all of half a second before her face darkens. “‘Angry’ doesn’t begin to encompass it, priestess. I’mexasperatedwith you. With this whole terrible place, in fact. Lecture me on my ‘big feelings’ all you want, but you’re the one who can’t seem to decide whether you want to hate me, seduce me, or ignore me on any given day. And now you’rehidingin here like a child.”
Her indignation travels along our connection, careening through the protective bubble of my aura. Hitting like a blow to the solar plexus.
Damn it.I wince, my breath hissing.“I— Wow.”Casting about for somewhere to start with it all, I finally motion between us. “I really can’t do this anymore.”
“You can’t do what, exactly? What isthis?” She mimics my gesture.
“We’ll be working together from now on. I will be cordial and polite to the best of my ability, and believe me, I’m flattered by your attention—”
“Oh, gods.” Her head falls back. “You cannot be serious.”
“—but there are certain things I won’t be able to discuss. Things…energybetween us I definitely can’t act on—”
Her sigh is exaggerated, eyes rolling.
My hackles rise. “I’mnotgoing to argue about boundaries with you anymore, Tiss.”
“I’m not arguing! This isn’t what I wanted to— You know what, priestess? You’reinsufferable.”
“And you’re fucking exhausting!” My voice carries in the vast room.
Anyone else would have flinched. Backed off. She only studies me. “What in the hell sort of secret are youkeeping? Somehow I feel like it affects me.”
“I’m not keeping anything from anyone!” But I can’t help the tremor in my voice. “Even if I am, I don’toweyou information.”
“Right. Well, whatever it is, it’s big,” she snaps. “Something has you utterly terrified, and I think there’s more to it than the Sisters finding out about ‘misconduct.’”
“Leave it alone, Tiss.” The connection between us shivers, wrenching from a place behind my navel. My posture goes stiff. There’s a sensation like ice water spilling down my spine.
I can’t tell which of us it’s coming from.
“Why?” She flings one arm out. “What are you so scared of? And what is this… thistugging?” Her free hand goes to her abdomen. “It’s always in the background when you’re around, yanking between us like a tether.”
My nose and lips go cold, and my cheeks tingle as the blood drains from my face. The floor seems to tilt, forcing me back a step.
Her eyes flash to me. Her next words are a reedy whisper: “You feel it too, don’t you?”
“I said. Leave it.Alone.” There’s no mistaking the warning in my voice. “And it’s not so much secret-keeping as being privyto information that puts me at risk. And is frankly beyond your purview.”
“Yeah, I’ve been getting a lot of that tonight.”
Before I can respond, she spins and storms back across the refectory. With a groan, I jog to catch up, but I’m not fast enough. Glare brimming with spite and loathing, she slams the door so hard behind her the candle flames gutter in the ancient chandeliers.
“Goddess save me.” I lean against the closest table.This is quickly becoming more of a disaster than it already was.
In spite of the lies I keep telling myself—that I will remain in control, that I’ll keep our interactions straightforward—I’m actually just stumbling blindly from moment to moment. Still half in shock this is happening to begin with.
Ihave approximately five minutes’ peace before the door flies open again. This time it’s Sadrie.
Spine straight, she struts toward me. “Would you like to guess why I’m here?” She stops short of my bench. If her aura’s anything to go by, she’s fuming almost worse than Tiss.
“I don’t need to guess. Nice to meet you, by the way. Formally.” I raise my half-empty mug.
